It’s all about experiences in 2025. This year, diners are searching for more than just a great steak when spending their dining dollars (steaks are still great, by the way). Think table-side cooking and cocktails, welcome touches, and after-dinner treats.

“Flames and flourish” are not only just fun to watch but also make the most effortless and Instagramable memories. Everyone says there’s no second chance to make a first impression ─ so why not make a first impression that’s first class?

First Impressions

A welcome “gift” is a wonderful way to connect the restaurant and the diner off the bat. Everyone loves a pour of a cocktail made just for them, a tiny appetizer sampler, or even a little splash of bubbly.

Entice® offers a labor-friendly solution for creating impressive appetizer samplers that wow guests and keep them coming back for more. With an extensive portfolio of premium hors d’oeuvres, Entice is great for starting a memorable meal or elevating first impressions, special events, and more. The lineup includes classic crowd-pleasers alongside innovative options like candied apple pork belly, artichoke beignets, and indulgent vegetable apps. For a touch of sophistication, sweet-and-savory bites round out the selection.

This complementary offering could be a teaser for the larger menu to whet appetites, specific to the evening’s specials, or a taste from a special bottle opened nightly. Does the chef make a great gougère? Pair with a little sparkling and voila!

The Tini Touch

Have-it-your-way cocktails give you the opportunity to get up close and personal. Martinis are having a moment and who isn’t here for it? Champagne carts are super romantic and bloody mary bars are the bee’s knees, so why not shake it up a notch with a martini cart? The ultimate bespoke martini is what everyone needs but doesn’t know they want.

It begins with a choice of liquor: gin, vodka, or tequila and builds from there. Add tinctures, herb oils, or bitters, the sky’s the limit and so is the visual. Lemon twists, blue-cheese stuffed olives, and cocktail onions are standard delicious martini fare, but this cart can go to eleven. Lobster claw meat, caviar, potato chips, or even a little Braveheart® Black Angus Beef Slider?

Fire Finale

Bring the cooking show to the table. Everyone loves to watch their favorite chef make a meal. Why not at the dinner table? Baked Alaska and Bananas Foster are greatest dessert hits for a reason. Cake, ice cream, and meringue torched table-side is a gorgeous way to end dinner — super accessible for even the pickiest eater, and super shareable. For even more food that’s hot to trot out, give us brandy and bananas.

Find your inner chef and photographer to document everyone’s faces while the dessert gets a fiery finish. Yep, break out that camera. So old school, it’s cool again. Or go digital and gain an email address for a final thank you with a photo a few days after dining.

Wrap Up

Land the finish in style with a memorable take-home gift. Grand gestures don’t have to be grand in size to create a memorable dining experience. A personalized thank you note is wonderful and chocolates are always welcome and appreciated but what about something a little less traditional and more specific to the meal?

For instance, a small jar of your signature sauce or a specialty petit four allows them to take home a piece of the experience. Another great touch could be a custom recipe card, inviting guests to recreate a favorite dish at home. Whether it's a unique cocktail mix or a tasty mini bite, this personalized gesture adds a meaningful and memorable end to their visit, ensuring they’ll leave with a smile and a reason to return.